EU Affairs Committee to discuss Irish Presidency planning and priorities

Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union in commences on 1 January and lasts for six months.

Chairman of the Committee Dominic Hannigan TD said: “Ireland has a strong track record of hosting successful EU Presidencies and this Presidency will be a unique opportunity for Ireland to contribute significantly to the European Union’s agenda.

“We assume the Presidency at a decisive period for the European Union, with the overarching priorities of the tenure to centre on jobs and growth. This Committee hopes to lead the engagement of the Houses of the Oireachtas in creating a vibrant parliamentary dimension to the Presidency, contributing to policy which fosters growth and curbs unemployment rates. We will raise with Minister Creighton the negotiations on the Multi-annual Financial Framework, which are currently deadlocked, and how this may impact on the Presidency agenda if not concluded in the next month.

“Hosting the rotating Presidency is always demanding for Member States.  The Committee will also be keen to explore with Minister Creighton the challenges for Ireland in the context of significant resource constraints. The Committee looks forward to an exchange of views with Minister Creighton on the preparations to date, the main priorities, and the overall approach the Government is planning to take.”

The meeting will take place tomorrow Tuesday 27 November in Committee Room 1, LH 2000 at 2 pm.

Ends
For further information please contact:
Paul Hand,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2

P: +3531 618 4484
M: +353 87 694 9926
F: +3531 618 4551
paul.hand@oireachtas.ie

Committee Membership
Deputies
Dominic Hannigan, TD (Chairman)
Paschal Donohoe, TD (Vice-Chairman)
Seán Crowe, TD
Timmy Dooley, TD
Bernard J Durkan, TD
John Halligan, TD
Colm Keaveney, TD
Seán Kyne, TD
Joe O’Reilly, TD

Senators
Colm Burke,
Fidelma Healy Eames,
James Heffernan,
Terry Leyden,
Kathryn Reilly